To want to take my baby on public transport?

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Just returned from a trip to London with my 3 month old baby. Very busy train on the return journey with a lot of luggage so there wasn't room for my pram (quinny with basinet) in the luggage area as i'd politely hung back to allow others to get on in front.

I put it in the next carriage, as advised by a staff member and then a manager asked (very loudly) whose pram was parked next door and it couldn't stay there etc. He was obviously harrassed, but was quite rude and sarcastic to me. After a very publuc discussion he said 'well these trains are not made for prams really'.

If that's the case - why sell family railcards?

Could you not have put the pram down to make more room? Or timed your trip to a less busy time? Use a sling?

The issue isn't taking the baby on the train it would seem but the space taken by a pram on a busy train

Most people take foldable prams or slings on public transport so as not to unduly inconvenience other passengers. You can use any form with your baby, you just can't block passageways, doors, or create a nuisance.

yabu.

If it's blocking the isle/doors then it's a problem. Family rail cards are for families with children over the age of 5, you don't pay for children under this age.

He probably meant they were not made for the humongous 'travel systems' that now pass as prams.

If you want to travel on crowded public transport, a light folding buggy is your friend.

Yanbu. On occasion on the train down here with the same pram the conductor has kindly moved me to 1st class mostly to accommodate the pram and allow me to sit down. But that's Devon where life us slower

YABU I'm afraid. I have the same Quinny pram and it's a real schlep taking it on public transport without getting in everyone else's way, so I use a sling for those occasions. The world doesn't stop just because you have a baby, and you really ought to consider travel restrictions when choosing which pram to buy.

By all means take a baby on public transport (I have taken both mine on all kinds).

But think ahead about pram / pushchair as it needs to be thought of as 'luggage' and sized accordingly. Does the Quinny fold up? Could you have used a sling?

Family railcards - well, last time I looked, my family consisted only of people, not of prams?? That means that the train company undertakes to transpoort the people in your family - but you need to be reasonable about the luggage (including prams / pushchairs in the definition of luggage, because that is what it is while you are on the train) that you take on with you...

For example, a passenger who uses a wheelchair can go onto a train with a wheelchair - but not a motorised buggy even if that is what they would ideally like to use on their onward journey. Cyclists need to make special arrangements for bikes on many trains, even though they are smaller than your average pram....

Make reasonable accommodation - fold up the pram or pushchair, use an alternative mode of carrying a baby if you can't - and the train company will make reasonable accommodation for you...

Really?? I actually consider my newborns developing back.. selfish i know

Eh? You will have to explain that one! Why does your babies "developing back" require a pram to be up and taking space on a train? Can you not hold your child?

FGS just fold the pram

oh those pore babies with broken backs becos mummy didnt buy a quinny...

you can get foldable prams that lie totally flat, and slings are not bad for babies back, so your objection is over-ruled.

You're not making that pfb mistake of assuming your baby is more important than the whole rest of the universe, are you?

Yes Really. It sounds like you don't travel in London very often. Those of us who live here have discovered that a lightweight buggy is much the easiest thing for journeys on buses/tubes/trains.

In days gone bye prams were larger than the "humongous travel systems" that "pass as prams" today. They were large ornate coach built affairs. The train guards would help you on and off and supply you with hot water and give a mother much assistance and respect. Cheerfully too!

Just saying...

Were there loads of fashionistas on the train taking up luggage space with boxes of shoes?

I don't think you're being that unreasonable, I wouldn't put a 3 month old in a buggy, nor could I use a sling for long periods due to back problems. I would, at the very least, expect to be spoken to politely by staff and offered assistance in folding/unfolding the pram if I was travelling alone with a baby. It's just human, isn't it?

The light, folding buggies really aren't for 3 month-olds. A sling could work but didn't for me, my 9 lb c-section baby and buggered back. I understand that having a baby shouldn't mean everyone else has to suffer. However, the world would be a better place if people took account of everyone's differing needs.

OP, I don't know how long you have been on MN. This topic seems to be one where people here speak with one voice and the voice says, "woman, you should carry your children, stand in the rain, be prepped for every eventuality, never expect to sit down, have someone help you or move for you. You chose to have children". I say, with a three month old I needed some help and generally people were lovely and helped.

Are slings bad for babies' backs?

We had a folding pushchair (a M&P one that is no longer made) which laid down flat for newborns, which we chose because we knew were going to travel a lot by public transport. If you didn't consider the suitability for public transport when you chose your pram, then is it a little unreasonable of you to blame the transport company for the unsuitability of your choice?

There are lots of folding pushchairs / travel systems which lie flat from birth, which are great for public transport.

Other alternative is to choose what time of day you travel - you will have more space, and the train operators will be able to be more flexible, in off-peak hours.

A sling and lightweight foldable buggy are your friends in situations like that. And looking for the wheelchair space if there is one. (While of course always being ready to vacate it for a wheelchair user).

It is a pain travelling with kids especially when you're not used to it, but it is possible, even at busy times.

LadySB family railcards can be used with children under 5 as well. It's actually cheaper to pay for adult+child with a railcard than an adult alone.

I couldn't wait t get rid of the travel system my mum bought for DS1. The McClaren was so much better, and then when he could sit up, a cheepy buggy from Argos.

I think this thread is a windup, anyway.

cheapy, not cheepy. It didn't sing

Had a sling that let my baby lie flat across my tummy. Kept my pram for use around town not on buses etc.

Not sure from the OP if the 'lots of luggage' was yours or everyone else's

YABU.

In days gone by there probably weren't as many people using the train. And they probably didn't have to pay hundreds or thousands of pounds a year for the privilege. The baby gets on free, that doesn't mean you should take up the space of two or three people with baby paraphernalia...and please don't block the exits. It's just inconsiderate.

Depends which train you use...I regularly use Virgin trains to the Northwest with my DC's (4 and 1.5) and if the train is really busy they will usually put it right at the front of the train by where the driver is. I've stored prams there myself and seen bikes, huge guitars etc you just need to check with one of the guards before you get on.

Agree with others, Quinnys seem a huge pain in the arse on public transport, I use public transport all the time living in London and with other prams you can easily get 2 on a bus unless it's one of those. You cant expect to compromise other passengers safety on trains by blocking exits with a huge pram

Can anyone tell me where these lightweight, lie flat, suitable for newborns, fold-able, cheap prams live? I looked and couldn't find one for less than about 500 quid.